Jennifer Lawrence on the Actress Whose Knees She Wants to “Take Out”

On Saturday afternoon, awards-season contenders like Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, and Tim Burton braved the packed Four Seasons driveway in Beverly Hills to attend the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ annual awards-season tea party. Silver Linings Playbook star Bradley Cooper circulated the ballroom, escorting an imported Starbucks iced coffee. Awards sensei Harvey Weinstein efficiently navigated the space one handshake at a time. Tim Burton shielded himself from complimentary industry folk with his trademark sunglasses, while his longtime partner,Les Misérables star Helena Bonham Carter, stood guard near a dessert table. Ben Affleck, notably snubbed by the Academy in the best-director category, was overheard cryptically telling one publicist, “I have a few theories about that.” (Infer the context of their conversation at your own discretion.) Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence, Vanity Fair’s current cover girl and Silver Linings Playbook’s best-actress-Oscar nominee, entered the room, zeroed in on a target, and power-walked her way over.

The target was Hollywood newcomer and Moonrise Kingdom star Kara Hayward, present to support Wes Anderson’s recent film, which is nominated for a best-screenplay BAFTA (and Oscar too). Towering over the teenage actress in heels, she placed a hand on Hayward’s shoulder and dispensed what appeared to be earnest praise. After the exchange, your blogger cut in on Lawrence to inquire about the interaction.

“This was her first movie!” she replied incredulously. “So I’m pissed. I’m going to take out her kneecaps with a crowbar. I’m like, ‘How could you do that to other actresses?’ Working with Wes Anderson on your first movie—can you imagine? And, like, nailing it!”

Seeming in awe of Hayward’s wise-beyond-her-years demeanor, Lawrence added, “I was so impressed with her for being a child [actor], and then I talked to her and was like, ‘Oh, you’re older than me.’’ Reminded that she is merely 14 years old, Lawrence lamented, “Never mind. Back to feeling bad about myself.”

But not too bad—the 22-year-old actress is headed into Sunday night’s Golden Globes, where she is up for best actress in a musical or comedy. Asked whether she had formulated a drinking strategy for the famously boozy event, the charmingly no-nonsense nominee laid out her game plan. “I’m going to start with red wine,” she said. “I’m going to have one glass just to cool my nerves. And then I’m going to get to the after-party and it’s going to be shots, shots, shots, shots, shots! No, I’m kidding. I’m probably going to stick to wine and beer.”